Innovations in Hyaluronic Acid Extraction from Fish Sources: A Patent Landscape Review

Authors

Keywords:

Extraction process, Fish waste, Pharmaceutical industry, Cosmetics industry, Technological prospection

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide essential for hydration and maintenance of tissue tension, presenting significant properties due to its water retention capacity. Due to these characteristics, hyaluronic acid aroused great interest in industries, widely marketed for pharmaceutical products (treating dry eye, osteoarthritis, osteogenesis, wound healing) and cosmetics (dermal fillers). Considering the increasing production of hyaluronic acid for pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, safer and more sustainable alternatives are sought. HA, when extracted from fish sources, has a lower risk associated with contaminants of animal and bacterial origin. Moreover, using fish waste to valorize discarded fish and extract by-products is a commendable and appreciable aspect of this process. For this reason, this patent review aimed to identify patent documents related to extracting hyaluronic acid from fish waste. Thus, the European Patent Office, Espacenet, was used as a database for this review. After searching and screening the available patents, four documents were selected that addressed extraction methods for obtaining hyaluronic acid. The species used in the extractions described in the selected patents include tuna, swordfish, sturgeon, and lake fish. The parts of the fish used in the extraction processes were the skin, vitreous humor, arterioles, and cartilage. Combining efficient extraction methods with this raw material can result in significant innovations in producing hyaluronic acid, making obtaining a product with high added value possible.

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Author Biographies

Elida Virna Rodrigues Barbosa, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brasil

Graduated in Fisheries Engineering from the Federal University of Maranhão (2024), she has experience in the area of Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Engineering, with an emphasis on fisheries biology. She works on the project “Desenvolvimento de unidade piloto de produção e certificação de bioativos da Amazônia maranhense,” developing activities related to bioprocesses, bioactive compounds, and the Internet das Coisas (IoT) for biotechnology and life sciences. She is currently a member of the Núcleo de Pesquisa Bioeconomia, Ambiente, Inovação, Inteligência, Tecnologia, Educação e Saúde (BAITES) at the Federal University of Maranhão and a doctoral student in the Programa de Doutorado em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (Renorbio).

Maria Priscila Sá Matos Ribeiro, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brasil

PhD student at RENORBIO, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia at the Federal University of Sergipe. Currently pursuing a specialization in Sustainability at the State University of Maranhão. She holds a bachelor's degree in Fisheries Engineering from the Federal University of Maranhão (2024), with experience in the areas of Fishery Resources and Fisheries Engineering, with an emphasis on fishery extension. She was a researcher member of the Grupo de Pesquisa Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Bioeconomia (AMBIO) at the Federal University of Maranhão, Pinheiro Campus. She is currently involved in the project Desenvolvimento de Unidade Piloto de Produção e Certificação de Bioativos da Amazônia Maranhense, working as a researcher at the Núcleo de Pesquisa Bioeconomia, Ambiente, Inovação, Inteligência, Tecnologia, Educação e Saúde (BAITES) at the Federal University of Maranhão. Her research and academic activities focus on innovation, biotechnology, sustainability, and the development of bioeconomic solutions.

Jan Santos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

Pharmacy student at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) (2023-), Technology Initiation student (PIBIT-CNPq) at the Laboratório de Ensaios Farmacêuticos e Toxicidade (LeFT) under the guidance of Dra. Mairim Russo Serafini (2024-), currently President of the Liga Acadêmica de Tecnologia Farmacêutica e Inovação Terapêutica (LITEC) since 2025.

Hilton Costa Louzeiro, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brasil

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Maranhão (2003), a Master's degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Maranhão (2006), and a Doctorate in Chemistry from the Federal University of Paraíba (2011). He is an Associate Professor III at the Federal University of Maranhão (from 2013 to the present). He coordinated the Bachelor's Degree Course in Natural Sciences-CCPi (2014-2016), coordinated the Alcântara Institutional Base (2024), and coordinated the Transportation Engineering Course-CCET (2024-2025). He is currently a professor in the Chemistry Degree Course - CCET, a researcher/leader of the Grupo de Pesquisa em Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Bioeconomia - AMBIO, and president of the Núcleo Multidisciplinar em Bioeconomia, Ambiente, Inovação Inteligência, Educação e Saúde - BAITES. He is a researcher/leader of the Fuel, Catalysis, and Environment Research Group. He is a permanent professor in the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Aeroespacial - PPGAERO of the Northeast Aerospace Network and the Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede BIONORTE (PPG-BIONORTE), where he works as a professor/researcher and sub-coordinator at UFMA. She coordinates the GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) projects in partnership with the Agência Espacial Brasileira (AEB), participates as a researcher in projects in partnership with the Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura-MPA, and in research and development projects in support of the Port of Itaqui, financed in partnership with FAPEMA/EMAP. He works in the areas of Bioactives, Bioeconomics, Biotechnology, and Bioenergy.

Mikele Cândida Sousa De Sant’ Anna, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brasil

Graduated in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), she holds a master's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Programa de Mestrado em Engenharia Química at the Federal University of Sergipe, and a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Pernambuco. She develops work in Bioeconomics and Biotechnology. She has experience in the field of Chemical Engineering, with an emphasis on Energy Conversion Processes and Bioproducts. She is currently a professor in the Aerospace Engineering program at the Federal University of Maranhão, coordinated the Base Institucional de Alcântara-BIA, participates in the Rede Brasileira de Bioquerosene e Hidrocarbonetos Renováveis, and the Instituto Estatual de Ciência e Tecnologia do Babaçu. She led the research group on Environment, Biotechnology, and Bioeconomy and coordinated the Núcleo de Bioeconomia, Ambiente, Inovação, Tecnologia e Educação (BAITES). She was Director of Innovation at the Federal University of Maranhão. She is currently Director of the UFMA Science and Technology Park and is the state leader of the Estado do Núcleo de Indústria 4.0 do Nordeste.

Danilo Francisco Corrêa Lopes, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Maranhão, Brasil

He holds a bachelor's degree in Fisheries Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (2011), a master's degree in Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (2014), and a doctorate in Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (2018). He was an adjunct professor in the Fisheries Engineering program at UFMA from 2015 to 2022. He was coordinator of Marine Sciences and managed Navio Ciências do Mar II from 2020 to 2022. He has experience in the areas of aquatic ecosystem ecology, fisheries ecology, and rural extension with an emphasis on fishing communities, environmental biomonitoring, and environmental education. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Transportation Engineering program. He held the position of Director of Innovation Management and Technological Services at the Agência de Inovação, Empreendedorismo, Pesquisa, Pós-graduação e Internacionalização (09/2022 to 11/2023) at UFMA. He currently holds the position of Vice-Dean of Student Affairs at UFMA.

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Published

2025-12-26

How to Cite

Virna Rodrigues Barbosa, E., Priscila Sá Matos Ribeiro, M., Santos, J., Costa Louzeiro, H., Cândida Sousa De Sant’ Anna, M., & Francisco Corrêa Lopes, D. (2025). Innovations in Hyaluronic Acid Extraction from Fish Sources: A Patent Landscape Review. Geama Journal - Environmental Sciences, 11(3), 38–44. Retrieved from https://www.journals.ufrpe.br/index.php/geama/article/view/7990

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2025): Revista GEAMA

Section

ARTIGOS

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